What Is the TOEFL?
The TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based testing) is administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and accepted by more than 11,500 universities and institutions worldwide. It is the preferred English proficiency test for admissions to universities in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and beyond.
TOEFL iBT Structure
| Section | Duration | Score Range |
|---|
| Reading | 35 min (2 passages) | 0–30 |
| Listening | 36 min (3 lectures + 2 conversations) | 0–30 |
| Speaking | 16 min (4 tasks) | 0–30 |
| Writing | 29 min (2 tasks) | 0–30 |
| Total | ~2 hours | 0–120 |
University Score Requirements
| School Type | Minimum TOEFL |
|---|
| Ivy League / Top-tier | 100–110+ |
| Major research universities | 90–100 |
| Standard 4-year colleges | 79–90 |
| Community colleges / ESL waiver | 61–79 |
Section-by-Section Strategy
Reading
- Passage length: ~700 words × 2 passages
- Question types: Factual, Vocabulary, Inference, Purpose, Prose Summary
- Strategy: Skim questions first → locate relevant passage sections. Avoid reading every word end-to-end.
Listening
- Lectures: Academic topics, 3–5 minutes each
- Conversations: Campus scenarios (professor, academic advisor, service office)
- Strategy: Note-taking focused on main idea + supporting points. Don’t try to write every word.
Speaking
| Task | Type | Prep Time | Response Time |
|---|
| Task 1 | Independent (personal opinion) | 15 sec | 45 sec |
| Tasks 2–4 | Integrated (reading + listening + speaking) | 30 sec | 60 sec |
Strategy: Use response templates for structure, but deliver naturally. Fluency and content matter more than accent.
Writing
| Task | Type | Time |
|---|
| Task 1 (Integrated) | Summarize and compare lecture vs. reading | 20 min |
| Task 2 (Academic Discussion) | Contribute to an online academic discussion | 10 min |
3-Month Preparation Schedule (Target: 100+)
| Month | Focus |
|---|
| Month 1 | Section fundamentals, diagnostic test |
| Month 2 | Section-specific drilling, error analysis |
| Month 3 | 4 full-length practice tests, weak area repair |
Essential Resources
- Official: ETS Official TOEFL Practice Tests, Official TOEFL Guide (ETS)
- Supplemental: Magoosh TOEFL, NoteFull Speaking Templates, TPO (TOEFL Practice Online)
TOEFL vs. IELTS: Which Should You Take?
| Feature | TOEFL | IELTS |
|---|
| Administrator | ETS (US-based) | British Council / IDP |
| Speaking format | Recorded monologue | Live examiner interview |
| US university preference | Dominant | Widely accepted |
| UK/Australia preference | Accepted | Traditional preference |
Bottom line: US/Canada-focused → TOEFL preferred. UK/Australia/NZ → IELTS often preferred, though both are accepted.
Chapter 2 Preview
Next, we tackle Reading & Listening high-score strategies — rapid processing of academic passages, efficient lecture note-taking, and the question types that trip up most test-takers.